1916 Commemoration - C of I Bishop speaks on mending broken relationships; Paddy Anglican : Marriage Equality 2015 - Waking up to the Importance of the issue; C of I General Synod commences today; Catholic Church in north won't ape Dublin's ban on photographs; Archbishop Clarke to preach at Cairncastle bicentenary celebration; Festival of Faith and Flowers to celebrate Adare church’s 700 years; Age Action needs help on Saturday June 13; Church unity stressed at major Alpha leadership conference; Sierra Leone Methodist Conference meets amid Ebola restrictions; WCC calls for day of prayer for South Sudan; Media digest
New play based on wartime experiences of Rev Ray Davey founder of Corrymeela; Christ Church Cathedral to Celebrate IDAHOT Day; C of I clergy oppose views of Bishops of Cork and Cashel on sexuality; More pressure on Sinn Fein over ‘sectarian’ election literature ; ’I felt history on my shoulders when I laid Richard III to rest' - interview with Ulster born Dean of Leicester; Atlantic Way pilgrimage for marriage equality; Moderator climbs Ben Lomond in aid of Nepal; Church life will never be same again - Dean of Nepal; Four man choice for US Presiding bishop election; World Council of Churches new websites on Justice and Peace; Media Digest
Methodist East Belfast Mision’s Irish Language Project Wins Award; Inter - church riders saddle up for Christian Aid cycle; Ireland’s singing priest: ‘a music career in the US and my own album’; Former C of I Archdeacon’s mind change on same sex marriage; Churchgoers give their views on marriage referendum to Irish Times; Cross of shell casings - symbol of hope at Derry inter-church service; Former member of C of I ordained as priest; Presbyterian and Methodist churches’ stands at Balmoral Show; Catholic bishops urge 'No' vote in marriage equality referendum; Cardinal congratulates royal family on birth of baby girl; Media Digest
Canon highlights plight of Ethiopian women; 51st Glenstal Ecumenical Conference to be in retreat format; Bishop’s plea - pray for healing and reconciliation in divided parish; Church bans parents from taking Communion and Confirmation photos; Archbishop Eamon Martin issues statement over gay marriage referendum; Commemoration of sinking of RMS Lusitania; Moderator of PCI congratulates The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the birth of their daughter; Homeless Jesus sculpture a reminder of the plight of the homeless; Youth Link’s Faith Based Community Relations conference; Premiership Stars Give Poverty The Boot This Christian Aid Week; Egypt jails 69 Islamists for church attack; US Episcopal bishop accused in drunken driving death resigns; Media digest
Catalyst Christian Festival for Young Adults Returns for Second Year; Support for Yes in marriage referendum from Church of Ireland clergy; Nepali Anglicans among those killed in earthquake; Time is running out for victims — Catholic Bishop Paul Simick of Nepal; Blessing of sculpture of homeless Jesus at Dublin cathedral; PW - Presbyterian Women - Annual Meeting to take place next week; Tyrone’s 43 Catholic Church parish records go online; Priest jailed for hiring Continuity IRA to threaten nephew; Lunchtime Music at St. Mary's Limerick; Young people’s art competition; Court of Appeal upholds freedom of C of E clergy to be office holders; Church of Scotland reaffirms position on assisted suicide bill following Holyrood health committee report; New light shed on John Knox in landmark biography; WCC takes part in Vatican climate change meeting; C of E Welcome for Vatican Statement on Climate Change; Media digest
Soweto Spiritual Singers at Londonderry’s Waterside Theatre; Year of Consecrated Life marked in Derry; Rector misunderstands Black Preceptory - MLA; God among the pots and pans workshop; Belfast lecture on Catholic Teacher Education in the Contemporary Church; Church Mission Society Ireland makes two key appointments; Lough Derg - Hope and Encouragement for a New Beginning; Quakers in Britain gather for Yearly Meeting; Grosvenor Grammar and Pond Park Primary are top choirs; Knock mass for Christians who have died in persecution in the Middle East and North Africa; Presbyterian Church launches special appeal for Nepal; C of I initial response to Nepal; Pope Francis donates 100,000 dollars to Nepal relief efforts; Pope, UN secretary general push for worldwide action on climate change; New Zealand: Church ejects tai chi group; Obituary - Rev Dr Philip Potter, former WCC Secretary; Media digest
Bali Nine: 'The whole place was very upset' - Irish priest describes death row inmates' final moments; Trócaire commits initial €100,000 to Nepal emergency response; Northern Ireland's ‘culture war’? Don't believe the hype; The close relationship between Scottish catholic bishops and the SNP; Lion Window Dedicated At Patronal Festival; Derry church leaders condemn bomb attack; Ireland’s religious leaders support call to recognise Armenian Genocide; Bishop’s tribute to committed C of I rector; Egypt: Muslims raise funds to build Coptic church in Cairo; Media digest - same-sex marriage, Assisted dying, climate change, ethical investment
American bishop is a surprise hit as the pope’s man in Ireland; Annual Anzac Service in Christ Church Cathedral; Royal Black Preceptory confirms church service block; First Messy Church service in St Patrick’s Ballymena; Rugby Great Lionized in Garvagh; Irish Methodist concern for Nepal; Black Santa Fund Donates £6,000 For Relief Work In Nepal; PCI Call for Action on Mediterranean Migrant Crisis; Media digest
C of I group’s call to "dismantle architecture of homophobia" in NI; Bishop calls crisis meetings in bid to calm storm over controversial rector; Royal Black Preceptory says ban on use of C of I church is breach of its civil liberties; Calls for Ireland to recognise Armenian 'genocide’; Parish supports Buckley family during painful wait; Building bridges of hope in Ballymoney community; Ecumenical service of remembrance for children killed in the Easter Rising; Annual 1916 Commemoration Ceremony at Arbour Hill; Scots Moderator promotes Fresh Expressions; Summer School as future of mission; Media digest
Surprising alliances, shifting allegiances - Changing of the Catholic votes in Northern Ireland?; Irish Methodist Church has not advised on marriage equality vote; Belfast Jesuit to head Boston College’s Center for Irish Programs; Down Cathedral re-ordered; Launch of Irish bishops web site on marriage; Ecumenical service introduces Roscommon Lamb Festival; Is Baptist unity at risk over same-sex marriage?; Media digest - Gallipoli commemorations - Marriage equality - Rise in nuns - Meet 'digital nun' - Christianity and politics - Is it still safe for Catholics to laugh at Father Ted?
Queen’s student team to help Ugandan Projects; Ecumenical Bible Week 2015 Asks What the Spirit is Saying to Churches; New Secretary to the C of I Board of Education NI; Archbishops of Dublin to Bless ‘Homeless Jesus’ Sculpture at Christ Church Cathedral; BBC Radio Ulster School Choir of the Year: Meet the judges; Kevin Myers gives poignant lecture on WW1 at Alexandra College; First ecumenical canons installed in Down Cathedral; Quakers in Britain Open Letter to the Prime Minister on the plight of migrants in Mediterranean; Archbishop of York heads call for more minority ethnic vocations; Ministry through murals; Armenian Apostolic Church canonises 1.5 million victims of genocide, Media digest
Churches enable young people to ‘Streetreach’ in Kilcooley; Armenian Church in Ireland to commemorate 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide; Major Presbyterian conference on Discipleshaping Church; Priest’s four day cross-border run to highlight human trafficking; Mayor and bishop share concerns; Down and Connor Vocations Sunday; Parish split deepens as details emerge of service with members of controversial American church; Archbishop Welby praises “crucial” work of Fresh Expressions; C of E appoints National Adviser for Pioneer Ministry; Munro challenge: reach a summit, raise money for Christian Aid; WCC mourns the killing of Ethiopian Christians by the Islamic State; Media digest
Drama focus to Athlone Methodists 150th anniversary; Choirs tune up for Ireland's biggest gospel music festival; Larne Praise Band Open Mic welcome for young musicians; Flute Band Church prepares for mission visit to Paraquay; Justice Minister Addresses Christian Aid 70th Anniversary Service; Derry scout leaders recognised; Down and Dromore General Synod members information evening; Moderator of Church of Scotland calls for humanitarian action on migrant crisis; ’Our country is burning' says South African Church leader as migrants are driven out; ‘World is silent over missing bishops,’ says Syrian Christian leader; Pope Francis to visit Cuba, Vatican confirms; MEDIA DIGEST - Parishioners call on 'entertaining' church minister Alan Kilpatrick to leave - Songs by Star Trek enthusiast played in court in bid to clear loyalist flute band members of playing sectarian tune outside Catholic church - Breakaway Anglicans’ ‘narrow way’ - When Did Protestants Lose Out? - Universities and Freedom of Speech
Moral Need to Tackle Climate Change Examined; Belfast Cathedral copies of the WW1 “Books of the Dead” in City Hall display; Armenians in Ireland Mark 100th Anniversary of Genocide; Churches Must Move the Furniture to Avoid Being Part of Heritage Theme Park; ‘Meet Jesus’ Course at Lisburn Cathedral; Pope Francis to visit Turin Shroud; Pope condemns killings of Ethiopian Christians in Libya +++ Media digest - C of I Bishop supports 'trendy' minister who has divided his congregation - Peter Lynas: He's just overseen the building of a £3m church in Coleraine and has been a vocal supporter of Ashers bakery - Church warden and accomplice jailed after blackmail plot - DUP not to take stance on Ford’s abortion bill - Fianna Fail is reaping a problem it helped to sow - Presbyterian Church urges No in marriage equality referendum - Garda union urges members to vote ‘Yes’ in referendum - ‘Gays should abstain from sex - like all unmarried couples' - Government fears silent No will sink referendum
Pro-gay marriage bishop slams pastor’s stance; Shot missionary Maud Kells flown to safety by Royal Black charity; The pain of Drumcree - Archbishop Eames to speak on healing in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast; Day of Prayer for the Renewal and Revival of Faith; Wicklow Clergy appointment; Archbishop passes on victim letters to Egyptian Christians; Alister McGrath criticises Resourcing Ministerial Education; Media digest - SF Easter Rising claims a cynical lie: Fianna Fail; Why are we still listening to the 1916 Secret Seven? - Ruth Dudley-Edwards ; Defamation Act must be extended to end Northern Ireland's embarrassment
Armagh Waking of Brian Boru Festival; Nun criticises Irish bishops' threat to withdraw priests as civil marriage registars; Minister proposes new school network created by Churches for Northern Ireland; Reorganising church spaces; BBC Radio Ulster School Choir of the Year final; Methodists hear Waterford church is full to capacity; Archbishop Welby in 'visit of condolence' for murdered Egyptian Christians; Conservative Anglicans poised for 'leap forward', deny schism; South Carolina Supreme Court agrees to hear multimillion dollar lawsuit involving US Irish linked diocese
Media digest
McAleese's son talks of growing up as gay man as he calls for Yes; Muslim leader warns against Yes vote in marriage referendum; Homosexuality is 'just like rape', pastor claims; Irish same-sex marriage – is the Church trying to blackmail the state?; Abortion law ‘unlikely to be passed by the current Assembly’: Wells
Self-care workshop for clergy and lay leaders; Book on Deans of St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin launched; East Belfast Mission’s Social Enterprise Open Day; Church Music Summer School for Parish Musicians; Archbishop Eames - My path of healing; Dundee Church Hosts Nigerian Visitors To Commemorate Mary Slessor; Cleric says report on church growth belies the research; Church leaders in South Sudan unite to urge peace now
Media digest
Irish police colluded with IRA during Troubles, says former IRA member; Plea for reform of Northern Ireland's strict abortion laws; NI peace process an inspiration: Vicar of Baghdad
Indonesian Partner Church Leaders Visit to Presbyterian Church; Christ Church Cathedral's Music Outreach Programme; Change in first day arrangements for C of I Synod; Armagh cathedral memorial wall in memory of RUC; Ethical fundraising workshops for church and faith based groups; Divine Healing Ministries training; Plans Underway for 2015 Dublin and Glendalough Kids’ Camp; Union College Professor training Church members and leaders in France; Justin Welby becomes first patron of debt counselling charity CAP; Archbishop Tutu to co-author book on happiness with Dalai Lama
Media digest
NI Abortion legislation change ‘substantial support’; NI Suicide rates down but no room for complacency; Inter - faith call for conscience clause in referendum; Children should not be used as pawns by campaigners in this referendum to spread fear'
Inclusive Church Conference on creating welcoming spaces; Charles Wood Young Performers' Concert tomorrow; Public Lecture on Economic Ethics at Mater Dei Institute; GP Pastor speaker at Methodist Church Ladies’ Conference; Leading and ministering in multi-parish benefices; ‘Vote for the common good’ urges Archbishop of Wales; Anonymous donor gives £1.5 million to restoration of Bath Abbey; Evangelization isn't a synonym for advertising, Pope says; Australian Anglicans appoint Aboriginal bishop as step to reconciliation
Media digest -
Evangelical critics of gay marriage and women bishops meet in London to plot schism; Religious group distributes referendum pamphlets to churches across Ireland; Religious ethos of society helps Muslims feel at home in Ireland; East Belfast hustings: Applause for all election candidates as church goers are inspired
Clergy defend asking parishioners to donate £5,000 each to church projects; Gallipoli 100 commemorations in Kells Parish, Co.Meath; Queen to lead 70th anniversary VE Day celebrations; Help Fight Poverty Step by Step on Christian Aid Stroll Through Dublin City; Prophetic Voices – Climate Conversations 2015 in Christ Church Cathedral; Methodist Church in Britain to tackle bullying and harassment; Presbyterian Cathedral choir’s worldwide Evensong following; C of E Sporting Bishop Takes On New National Role
Media Digest -
How Republicans love to perpetuate the romantic myth; ’Surprise' over Taoiseach's church-civil marriage ceremony comment; ’Everyone should be able to express their love fully' - Mary McAleese backs Yes vote in same-sex referendum ; Sexuality and difference explored at Open Church conference; Queen’s University cutting 1,000 student places; Conscience clause could trigger US-style boycott, MLAs warned; Unionism and the Separation of Church and State
Bishops’ threat over non-signing of civil wedding forms; Marriage rites and civil law - A C of I Bishop’s perspective; New bishop reaches out to non-practising Catholics; The Tuam Babies - 800+ in a mass grave ‘the clergy didn’t want to know the truth about’; Moderator condemns attacks on North Belfast Polish community; Church Army Chief Executive visits north Belfast; Possible 'parallel Anglican church' set to highlight divisions; Internships at Holywood Parish Church; ‘May the balm of mercy reach everyone’, says Francis as he proclaims Holy Year; Episcopal Church General Convention in Salt Lake City will elect new Presiding Bishop; Pope boosts Armenia's efforts to have Ottoman killings recognised as genocide
Media digest -This is what a night in Ireland's only homeless cafe is like; Catholic Church 'will pay price' for stance on gay marriage; We should commemorate our history as fact, not propaganda; Sinn Fein have consistently added insult to the McConvilles' injury; Ballycastle united in prayer for crash teen Clodagh Arbuckle; Titanic priest Father Thomas Byles 'should be sainted’; Missing Nigerian schoolgirls: could growing pressure on Boko Haram lead to their release?
Church of Ireland Bishop and Rabbi support 'yes' vote in upcoming same-sex marriage referendum; Christ Church to mark Magna Carta’s 800th; Middle ground Anglicanism in an age of extremism; Irish archbishop in Milwaukee for Lutheran consecration; Relaunch of Dublin branch of ecumenical BVM society; Bishop Visits Bogside Murals; Sanctity of life is top issue facing voters, say Scottish catholic bishops; Pope encourages religious to be witnesses; How to Use Voice for Life - a new guide to the RSCMs successful singing programme;
Media digest -
Easter Rising commemoration should be multi-cultural : If you want to see the ruins of ethnic cleansing, come to Dublin; Is too much emphasis put on Church leaders' importance?; Bono's pain as his father's final words are revealed; We should support the Pope’s crusade against Islamism; Republicans accused of covering up deaths of IRA 'child soldiers; Mrs Thatcher ‘was a Christian’
Londonderry service will mark 100th anniversary of founder of Scouting to city; Major gathering of Catholic Church reform groups in Limerick next week; Hustings on election issues and questions; Church of Scotland appoints its first Gap year students; Archbishop of York focuses on "Fresh Expressions" of church ministry; Archbishop of Canterbury opens nominations for 2016 Michael Ramsey Prize; Number of RC ordinations in the US to rise by a quarter in a year; Media focus - celebrating the Easter Rising : Don't make a politically correct version of the Proclamation - Role of Catholic Church in Easter Rising should be remembered - Government is afraid to speak of the challenge of Easter week; Media digest
PCI encourages continued prayer for Kenya; Archbishop Clarke to give lecture on “The Church in the Irish Public Square”; C of I Church Life in Action Photography Competition; Safeguarding resource for Select Vestries; Queen thanks Tyburn nuns for their prayers; Church invites congregations to take part in major survey; Archbishop of Canterbury’s interview with SAT-7 Middle East station; Islam will be fastest-growing faith in coming decades - survey; Media digest - Was the Great Famine a genocide perpetrated by the British?; The changing face of marriage in the Catholic church; The big lie that Islamic terror is caused by the racist West
Installation of ecumenical canons at Celebration of re-ordering of Downpatrick cathedral; Bishop Martin Drennan ordains two Irish deacons in Rome; C of I ordinand on placement in Uganda; Church in Wales Governing Body to discuss poverty; BBC highlights church’s award winning Scots gaelic speaking dementia project; Evangelicals, Catholics and Methodists join 60 other groups to oppose gay marriage in US Supreme Court; Hewson Memorial Organ Recitals 2015 at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin; Media Digest - Hot springs used to heat Bath Abbey and other reports
Secret deals on priests' children should not be 'unjust' to mother or child - Irish bishops; Irish Imam condemns persecution of Christians in Muslim countries; More names added to evangelical Bethany home memorial; Paedophile Priest's Order Quitting Co Cavan Abbey; Tales of Brian Boru - for children and adults; Gay teachers suffering 'real anxiety' over religious law; RE teachers 'not ordinary', GB campaigners say; Media digest
Christians harangued for beliefs - Archbishop Martin; Vicar of Baghdad to visit Enniskillen; Methodists in Missional Conversation; C of I Youth leaders retreat; Women’s Link Annual Fellowship Day; St George’s Belfast Bicentenary Recital; Christian Aid 70th Anniversary services; New Diocesan Youth Officer for Meath and Kildare; £81k for roof repairs on historic Carrick church; Causeway Christians Against Poverty appoints extra staff; Irish pupils packed into biggest classes in the eurozone; Increase In 'Mixed' Housing in NI Due To Financial Reasons Study Claims; ’Promote gay relationships as positive in school,' teachers say; Ireland recognises famine gift from Choctaw Nation; Archbishop of York gives a stirring, political, Christian message for Easter
Persecution highlighted in Archbishop of Canterbury's Easter sermon and Pope’s ‘Urbi et Orbi’ message; Derry Church leaders carry Cross through city centre to mark Good Friday; Archbishop calls on Dubliners to stand up to violence in the city; Dublin Easter morning Spire inter-church service; St Patrick’s Deans brought to book; Willowfield parish Hustings Evening; Red Cross asylum project launched with Black Santa’s help; Anglican leader urges world to rally behind Kenya; Appointment of Anglican Communion Secretary General: Statement from ACC Chair
Clergy urge faithful to give blood in spirit of Holy Week; ‘Homeless Jesus’ sculpture delayed on way to Dublin; Café Church at Kill O’ the Grange Offers Informal Setting for Worship; Eucharistic Congress will be held in Knock in September; Christ’s willing sacrifice - Presbyterian Moderator’s Easter message; Presbyterians to reflect on Christ’s Resurrection at Dawn; C of I paper’s archives highlight Gallipoli campaign and clergy families war service; Concerns regarding new head of Anglican Communion Office views on homosexuality and Gafcon links; WCC condemns terror attack in Kenya; Islam is world's fastest-growing religion, will equal Christianity by 2050
Dean from Belfast welcomes Queen at Royal Maundy service in Sheffield; Good Friday Stations of the Cross walk in Nenagh; Passion play tonight in Down Cathedral; Woman Church warden and mayor of new super council; Enniskillen teacher to give organ recital In St Patrick’s Cathedral, Armagh; Exhibition of stage clothes to benefit Dungarvan parish; Engage Connor Youth Plans Streetreach In North Belfast; Seedtime and Ploughman’s Service; First Palm Sunday Walk of Witness in Belvoir; Revd Canon Jack Mercer - a lovely and godly man; Church of Scotland says more must be done to get Scots online; Nigerian bishop to be Anglican Communion’s next Secretary General; Influential black-led coalition breaks with US Presbyterians over gay marriage; Pope Francis told to lay off pasta after apparent weight gain; Media digest